All articles by Devin Gannon

See the ambitious proposal for a climate change research center on Governors Island

Rendering of the western promenade; Credit: WXY architecture + urban design/bloomimages

September 17, 2020

See the ambitious proposal for a climate change research center on Governors Island

By Devin Gannon

Plans to bring a climate change research center on Governors Island are moving ahead. The Trust for Governors Island on Thursday unveiled a proposal for a new research center that would be dedicated to studying the impacts of climate change and serve as a platform for environmental justice organizations and solutions-based public programs. The project involves rezoning the southern end of the island to make space for up to about 4 million square feet of development. The rezoning proposal is expected to enter the city's formal public land-use review process next month.
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Architecture And Design

NYC delays in-person learning at public schools again

Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza tour New Bridges Elementary in Brooklyn to observe the school’s PPE delivery and reopening preparations; Photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

September 17, 2020

NYC delays in-person learning at public schools again

By Devin Gannon

New York City schools will no longer open in-person instruction for most students on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday. Just four days before city school buildings were set to physically reopen for students, the mayor delayed in-person learning for the second time after complaints from school staff over safety and staffing. In-person instruction will now start in phases, with preschool students starting on Monday, K-8th grade students on September 29, and high school and some middle-school students on October 1.
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Policy

NYC restaurants can charge diners an extra 10 percent fee during COVID-19 pandemic

Photo by 6sqft

September 17, 2020

NYC restaurants can charge diners an extra 10 percent fee during COVID-19 pandemic

By Devin Gannon

Restaurants in New York City can charge diners a fee of up to 10 percent of the total bill for in-person dining under new legislation passed by the City Council on Wednesday. The "COVID-19 Recovery Charge" aims to offset losses businesses have suffered since the start of the health crisis in March. The surcharge will be permitted until 90 days after full indoor dining resumes. Gov. Andrew Cuomo this month said indoor dining can reopen on September 30 at 25 percent capacity.
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‘Ode to NYC’ poster campaign spreads love across the five boroughs with heartfelt artwork

New York Forever poster designed by Giona Maiarelli; Pizza poster designed by Dr. Crol Bentel

September 16, 2020

‘Ode to NYC’ poster campaign spreads love across the five boroughs with heartfelt artwork

By Devin Gannon

A new citywide poster campaign will launch next month as a tribute to New York City in response to one of the most challenging times in its history. NYCxDesign this week announced the "An Ode to NYC" campaign, a collection of posters designed by local artists that reflect their love for New York. The original artwork will be on display in design showrooms, restaurants, retail stores, and iconic spots across the five boroughs, including the Oculus at the World Trade Center.
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Morris Adjmi’s mixed-use towers top out in Dumbo

Rendering by Williams New York

September 16, 2020

Morris Adjmi’s mixed-use towers top out in Dumbo

By Devin Gannon

Architect Morris Adjmi's latest residential project officially topped out in Dumbo last month. A former parking lot, 85 Jay Street is now home to two sleek 21-story towers comprised of residential units and space for retail. Dubbed Front & York, the complex will bring a mix of 728 condo and rental units to a full block in the neighborhood when it opens next year, making it one of the largest developments in Dumbo. Current availability for the condos ranges from a one-bedroom for $965,000 to a four-bedroom penthouse for $7.85 million.
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New York Botanical Garden’s landmarked glass conservatory reopens after $18M restoration

Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

September 15, 2020

New York Botanical Garden’s landmarked glass conservatory reopens after $18M restoration

By Devin Gannon

The palm dome of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden reopened on Monday after an $18 million restoration project. Constructed by Lord & Burnham from 1899 to 1902, the stunning glass greenhouse features 11 galleries with plants from around the world, including the garden's Palms of the World gallery. The Haupt Conservancy, which has been closed since March 15 because of the coronavirus pandemic, will reopen to the public at limited capacity on September 22.
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Architecture And Design

NY Botanical Garden and Douglaston reach deal on ground leases at Bronx affordable housing project

Courtesy of Douglaston Development

September 14, 2020

NY Botanical Garden and Douglaston reach deal on ground leases at Bronx affordable housing project

By Devin Gannon

Plans to bring hundreds of new affordable apartments for seniors and low-income families in the Bronx are moving forward. The New York Botanical Garden and Douglaston Development this week closed on two separate 99-year ground leases at 2856 Webster Avenue and 410 Bedford Park Boulevard, which will hold a two-building, 100 percent affordable development. Located just a block from the Botanical Garden, the project includes a new 12,000-square-foot Cherry Valley Marketplace store on the ground floor. The existing Cherry Valley grocery store, located at the site of the project, will remain open throughout construction.
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Affordable Housing

87 streets in NYC are now car-free outdoor dining destinations

Rockwell Group’s DineOut NYC in Manhattan’s Chinatown; Photo courtesy of Emily Andrews for Rockwell Group

September 14, 2020

87 streets in NYC are now car-free outdoor dining destinations

By Devin Gannon

Even as the city prepares to resume indoor dining this month, more restaurants will be able to take advantage of the program that allows expanded street and sidewalk seating. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week seven new locations for outdoor dining on open streets across the five boroughs, bringing the total to 87 streets and nine pedestrian plazas designated for restaurant use on weekends. The latest batch of outdoor dining streets will be overseen by a number of neighborhood restaurants, including Gertie's in Williamsburg, Kheo-Yo in Tribeca, Ray's Bar on the Lower East Side, and others.
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Food & Dining

Sotheby’s hip hop auction includes Biggie Smalls’ crown from ‘King of New York’ photo & more gems

Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” leather jackets; Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s

September 11, 2020

Sotheby’s hip hop auction includes Biggie Smalls’ crown from ‘King of New York’ photo & more gems

By Devin Gannon

Next week, Sotheby's will host its first-ever hip hop auction with iconic memorabilia from the music movement that got its start in New York City. One of the biggest items of the auction, which will be held live on September 15, is the crown worn by Brooklyn-born Biggie Smalls during the 1997 "King of New York" photo shoot, the last portrait of the rapper before he was killed just days later. Another amazing item at the auction includes over 20 love letters penned by a 16-year-old Tupac Shakur to his high school sweetheart.
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$66M triplex penthouse at 111 West 57th Street sits 900 feet above Central Park

Penthouse 72 Loggia, courtesy of 111 West 57th Street

September 11, 2020

$66M triplex penthouse at 111 West 57th Street sits 900 feet above Central Park

By Devin Gannon

Two new impressive units just hit the market at New York City's most slender supertall. At 111 West 57th Street, a three-level, four-bedroom penthouse with over 7,000 square feet of interior space and an additional 1,367 square feet in private outdoor space with picture-perfect views over Central Park has hit the market for $66 million. And a duplex with three bedrooms and unobstructed park views is now asking $39.5 million. The latest multi-million dollar listings at the Billionaires' Row tower come after two $30 million units sold earlier this summer during the coronavirus shut down, giving a boost to the city's nearly stagnant luxury market.
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Popular Articles

Refusing to wear a mask on MTA trains and buses will cost riders $50

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

September 10, 2020

Refusing to wear a mask on MTA trains and buses will cost riders $50

By Devin Gannon

Riders on public transit in New York who refuse to wear a face mask will now be fined $50, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Thursday. Starting Monday, riders of the city's subway and buses, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North will be subject to the new penalty for not complying with the mandatory face-covering rule, put in place by executive order in April.
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The best apartments in NYC you can rent for less than $3,000/month

September 10, 2020

The best apartments in NYC you can rent for less than $3,000/month

By Devin Gannon

With New York City's listing inventory hitting its highest level in 14 years and net effective rents still falling, according to a new report by real estate appraisers at Miller Samuel, this may be the best time for renters to snag a good deal on an apartment. This week, we're taking a look at the best rentals currently on the market for under $3,000/month. From a Brooklyn studio with outdoor space and on-site laundry to a bright corner one-bedroom on the Lower East Side, find out just how far $3,000 will get you in NYC right now.
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Distinctive Homes

Over the last four years, sale prices at Trump-branded condos dropped by 25 percent

Photo by Loozrboy on Flickr

September 10, 2020

Over the last four years, sale prices at Trump-branded condos dropped by 25 percent

By Devin Gannon

While some of Donald Trump's family businesses have managed to profit from his presidency, his condo buildings in New York City continue to see significant price drops. According to a new report from CityRealty, owners of apartments at Trump-branded buildings in the city are "eager to get out," even willing to take a significant loss on their properties. From 2016 to 2020, overall closing sales prices at nine Trump-branded condos dropped by 25 percent, according to CityRealty's index tracking prices at Manhattan buildings owned by the Trump Organization.
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Real Estate Trends

New York City will open indoor dining on September 30

Photo by Marcus Herzberg from Pexels

September 9, 2020

New York City will open indoor dining on September 30

By Devin Gannon

Restaurants in New York City will be able to resume indoor dining on September 30, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday. Capacity will be limited to 25 percent with strict coronavirus-related regulations in place. In addition to the task force led by the State Liquor Authority, the city will provide 400 inspectors to oversee compliance at restaurants. Cuomo said the state will also rely on city residents to report any violations. "I believe in New Yorkers to do the right thing," the governor said during a press briefing.
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Sting, Norah Jones, & more to perform in free SummerStage Jubilee virtual concert

SummerStage 2019; Photo © 6sqft

September 9, 2020

Sting, Norah Jones, & more to perform in free SummerStage Jubilee virtual concert

By Devin Gannon

A free concert benefiting New York City parks programs will be live-streamed next week, with a number of renowned artists participating. Hosted by the City Parks Foundation, the SummerStage Jubilee takes place virtually on September 17 with performances from Sting, Norah Jones, Trey Anastasio, Rufus Wainwright, Leslie Odom Jr., Rosanne Cash, Emily King, PJ Morton, and more. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the foundation put its annual free outdoor concert series in Central Park, online for all to enjoy, dubbing it SummerStage Anywhere.
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Events & Things To Do

You can win a private session at Grand Central Terminal’s ‘hidden’ tennis courts

Photo courtesy of Grand Central Terminal

September 9, 2020

You can win a private session at Grand Central Terminal’s ‘hidden’ tennis courts

By Devin Gannon

A contest launched on Tuesday that is tailor-made for lovers of tennis and quirky New York City history. Grand Central Terminal's "Game, Set, & Match" contest will provide one winner and a partner an hour to play tennis at the iconic transit hub's Vanderbilt Tennis Club, located in a hard-to-find location on the terminal's fourth floor. In addition to the free match, the winner will receive $300 in gift cards for Grand Central Terminal vendors.
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City Living

Annual 9/11 dance tribute at Lincoln Center will be live streamed

Photo by Lincoln Center

September 8, 2020

Annual 9/11 dance tribute at Lincoln Center will be live streamed

By Devin Gannon

An annual dance performance in New York City commemorating September 11 will be live-streamed this year. On Friday, the Buglisi Dance Theatre and Lincoln Center, in partnership with Dance/NYC, will present a "reimagined" Table of Silence Project 9/11, a multi-cultural performance calling for peace and global unity. Created and choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi, the yearly performance first debuted in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
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Events & Things To Do

New York’s COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for one month straight

Photo by Anthony Quintano on Flickr

September 8, 2020

New York’s COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for one month straight

By Devin Gannon

Once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York now has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. For four weeks straight, the percentage of positive virus tests has stayed below 1 percent, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. At the peak of COVID-19 this spring, the state was reporting over 10,000 new cases and hundreds of deaths per day. On Monday, there were 520 new cases, with 0.88 percent of tests coming back positive, and two deaths statewide.
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Policy

FEMA pulls funding for sanitizing schools and subways, according to officials

Photo: Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

September 4, 2020

FEMA pulls funding for sanitizing schools and subways, according to officials

By Devin Gannon

A recent rule change by the Federal Emergency Management Agency could take away funding for disinfecting subway cars and city schools, Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Thursday. New guidance from the agency says states need to cover the costs of disinfectants, personal protective equipment, temperature scanners, and other cleaning-related items that have been reimbursed by FEMA since March, the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. Schumer called the change a "downright dirty decision" made during a time when New York and the rest of the country continues to fight against the spread of the virus.
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Rent Vanessa Carlton’s Soho loft for a discounted $15.5K/month

September 4, 2020

Rent Vanessa Carlton’s Soho loft for a discounted $15.5K/month

By Devin Gannon

Even celebrities are facing a new real estate reality in New York City as inventory rises and demand falls. Singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton recently dropped the price of her Soho rental to $15,500 per month, from around $17,500 per month, the price she had been asking for the apartment since first putting it on the market in 2014.
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NJ’s American Dream mall will reopen October 1

Rendering courtesy of Triple Five Group

September 4, 2020

NJ’s American Dream mall will reopen October 1

By Devin Gannon

New Jersey's American Dream megamall will reopen its doors next month after shuttering for six months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this summer, the mall's future looked bleak, with developer Triple Five Group missing mortgage payments and multiple tenants leaving the site. But with American Dream's indoor ski park officially running again and retail stores and attractions set to reopen on October 1, the mall's luck may be turning around.
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Real Estate Trends

U Thant Island: Manhattan’s smallest island that’s off limits to the public

Photo via Wiki Commons

September 3, 2020

U Thant Island: Manhattan’s smallest island that’s off limits to the public

By Devin Gannon

Between the United Nations building and Long Island City sits a tiny 100-by-200 foot piece of land, known as U Thant Island. The East River man-made enclave is just south of Roosevelt Island and legally part of Manhattan. As Atlas Obscura discovered, the land did not exist until the 1800s when a trolley tunnel was dug beneath the River to connect Manhattan and Queens. While U Thant looks like a nice place to get some sun and relax, the island remains closed to the public as a bird sanctuary.
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History

Cuomo says indoor dining could resume with an NYPD task force enforcing COVID-19 rules

St. Marks Place outdoor dining; Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

September 3, 2020

Cuomo says indoor dining could resume with an NYPD task force enforcing COVID-19 rules

By Devin Gannon

Indoor dining could resume in New York City only if police are able to enforce compliance of coronavirus regulations at restaurants, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. During a call with reporters, the governor said he could allow restaurants to open for indoor dining if the city creates a task force of NYPD officers designated to oversee compliance. Cuomo said he plans to discuss the issue with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who on Wednesday called for an immediate start of indoor dining, which has been allowed in every region in the state except the five boroughs.
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First online-only Whole Foods ‘store’ opens in Brooklyn

Photo courtesy of Amazon/ Whole Foods

September 2, 2020

First online-only Whole Foods ‘store’ opens in Brooklyn

By Devin Gannon

While new Whole Foods stores in New York City typically open to fanfare from lovers of the grocery chain, a new location in Brooklyn won't get the same in-person hoopla. The first-ever online-only Whole Foods "store" opened in Brooklyn on Tuesday, dedicated exclusively to fulfilling online grocery orders. The new store, which has been in the works for over a year, will not allow any customers inside.
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City Living

Free outdoor sculpture garden opens at Rockefeller Center

Illusory Progression, True to Myth, and Rhizogenic Rhythms by artist Thaddeus Mosley; Photo courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

September 2, 2020

Free outdoor sculpture garden opens at Rockefeller Center

By Devin Gannon

Another free public art installation has opened at Rockefeller Center. In its second year, the Frieze Sculpture at Rockefeller Center opened on Tuesday as an outdoor sculpture garden with works from six major international artists. Originally scheduled to open this past spring as part of art programs offered by Frieze New York, the installation was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Events & Things To Do

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